Technology Competition

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  Baidu to Make AI Chatbot Ernie Bot Free of Charge from April 1

  Baidu said on Thursday it would make its AI chatbot Ernie Bot accessible at no cost to all users on both desktop and mobile platforms starting April 1. Baidu faces growing competition in China's AI sector, particularly from DeepSeek which offers free AI chatbot services.

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  Google Updates AI Principles, Ditches Commitment to Not Use AI for Weapons and Surveillance

  Google updated its artificial intelligence (AI) Principles, a document highlighting the company’s vision around the technology, on Tuesday. The Mountain View-based tech giant earlier mentioned four application areas where it would not design or deploy AI. These included weapons and surveillance as well as technologies that cause overall harm or c...

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  Major Telescope Makers Hit by Class Action Lawsuit for Alleged Price Manipulation

  A $32M class action settlement has been reached following allegations of market monopolization and price fixing by major telescope manufacturers. Brands like Celestron, Meade, Olivon, and Sky-Watcher are included. The settlement affects buyers in the U.S. who purchased telescopes between 2005 and 2023. Claims must be filed by May 20, 2025, as per r...

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  Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Set for First Launch in January

  Blue Origin is preparing to launch its New Glenn rocket for the first time between January 6-12 from Cape Canaveral. The test flight will feature the Blue Ring Pathfinder, a simulator designed to test the rocket’s payload systems and in-orbit communications. The launch will also test the rocket’s reusable first stage, which will attempt to land...

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  Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Approved for First Launch Under FAA License

  Blue Origin has received FAA approval to conduct orbital launches with its New Glenn rocket from Florida. The five-year license enables the company to carry out missions required for U.S. Space Force certification. The debut launch will focus on deploying technology for the Blue Ring program, a defense-related initiative. Initially slated for a NAS...

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  US Government Commission Pushes Manhattan Project-Style AI Initiative

  A US congressional commission has proposed a Manhattan Project-style initiative to fund the development of AI systems that will be as smart or smarter than humans. The Manhattan Project was a large-scale collaboration between the US government and the private sector during World War Two that produced the first atomic bombs.

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  Apple Faces UK Class Action Over Data Storage Allegations

  Apple is accused of abusing its market dominance by making it difficult for consumers to use alternative means of storing photos, videos and other data beyond that of its own service, according to lawyers at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, who filed the suit London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of Which? Ltd. 

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  IIT Kanpur To Hold Admissions For BTech And BS Courses Via Olympiads

  The initiative aims to recognise exceptionally talented students who have excelled in highly competitive international Olympiads.

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  MIT's AXIS Mission Advances in NASA’s Astrophysics Probe Competition

  The MIT-led AXIS mission, a finalist in NASA's Probe Explorers competition, is set to investigate the origins of black holes and the universe's high-energy events. Featuring advanced X-ray technology, AXIS will push cosmic boundaries in search of answers to some of astrophysics' most profound questions. If approved, the $1 billion mission will revo...

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  Japan Announces Plans to Build Zeta-Class Supercomputer, Said to Be 1,000 Times Faster Than Today’s Machines

  Japan has announced plans to start constructing the world's first "zeta-class" supercomputer in 2025. Expected to be 1,000 times faster than today's leading supercomputers, the project is set to cost more than $750 million and be operational by 2030. The supercomputer will help Japan stay competitive in artificial intelligence (AI) advancements and...

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  OpenAI Tests New Search Engine SearchGPT, Seeks To Challenge Google's Dominance

  OpenAI is testing a new search engine called SearchGPT, which aims to challenge Google's long-standing dominance in the search market.

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  Kota Factory Season 3 Review: TVF's Show Addresses Dark Side of IIT-JEE Coaching

  Touted as one of TVF’s signature shows, Kota Factory makes a return after two-and-a-half years.

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  IIT Madras Starts Sports Excellence-Based Admissions in UG Courses

  IIT Madras SEA Programme: Candidates who have won at least one medal in any National/International-level sports competition are encouraged to apply.

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  Netflix Ad-Supported Plan Crosses 40 Million Monthly Active Users, Company Says

  Netflix's ad-supported tier has grown to 40 million global monthly active users, the company has announced. The number of subscribers has shot up from 5 million in 2023 and the increase has taken place as the company faces intense competition from rivals. The firm introduced the ad-supported plan in November 2022. The company has also announced tha...

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  Technology Has Emerged As New Strategic Arena Of Competition: Army Chief

  Evolution of technology has impacted warfare but technological advantage may just be reduced to a tactical level when it is taken away from the larger strategic context and regarded as the "sole driver" of success in a war, the Army Chief said today.